Ore: An Erik Portland Story

by Geoff Spedding

"Ore" is the third novel by Geoff Spedding set in Ulf, a little former gold-mining and timber-milling town in the hill country of Victoria, Australia. The main character of all three books is Erik Portland, a retired church pastor who ministers in an independent congregation in Ulf. In the first book, "Ulf" he becomes involed in, and solves, the mystery of a teenage girl who had been missing for fifteen years. In "Ash", the second novel, he solves the mystery surrounding the violent death of a young fire fighter during a wild fire which roars through teh village. In "Ore", Erik Portland is fishing in his favourite mountain stream when he makes a discovery which leads him on a hunt for gold in the high country above the village of Ulf. A new member of Erik's family is a small dog which becomes his companion as he searches the hills. Burglary, domestic violence, death threats and the re-emergence of a vengeful villain interrupt his seeking the golden treasure and there are times when his life is in jeopardy. Many of the characters from the first two books reappear in "Ore" to assist Erik Portland in his quest for gold and aid him when his life and property are endangered.

210 pages, Paperback

Published January 25, 2015

About the author

Geoff Spedding is a New Zealand-born writer who lives in Rome, Italy. His captivation by the great valley of Umbria had led to this novel which is a tribute to this part of Italy. He has lived in New Zealand, canada and Australia as well as Italy. He is the author of "Seeking Residenza", a portrait of the difficulties he encountered with Italian bureaucracy; "Some Special People", a collection of about 600 biographies of people interred in the Cimitero Acattolico (Protestant Cemetery) in Rome; "Ulf", a mystery novel set in the Victorian hillcountry in Australia and is currently occupied in writing "Ash", a sequel to "Ulf". In what he describes as his 'previous life', he has, among other things, been a teacher, broadcaster, journalist, actor, labourer, house builder, truck driver, photographer, timber worker, clergyman, police chaplain and is currently busily employed at being retired.